A man threatening to set himself on fire in a car outside the New South Wales Parliament in Sydney prompted an evacuation of the building. Several hours into the standoff police managed to seize the car and detain the suspect.

The building was put on lockdown after the man parked his car at
the front gate around noon local time. While the security
operation was underway, the police warned the public to stay away
from the area.

Rescuers, ambulances and police reinforcement were brought to the
scene while a negotiator was trying to question the man inside
the car.

Initially it was reported that the man might have a bomb, with
the Daily and Sunday Telegraph reporter Yoni Bashan writing on
Twitter that “a man packed the car with explosives, parked
outside parliament and remains inside the car,” citing
security sources.

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell and Treasurer Mike Baird were ordered
to leave the building after tweeting a couple of photos after
initial lockdown. O'Farrell however has stayed inside the
building. Some reports suggested that the suspect was demanding a
meeting with the premier.

The man was reported to have 25 liters of petrol inside the car
and was threatening to set himself on fire, according to police
sources.

“Fire extinguishers now being bought closer to the man in car
who has sparked a massive security operation outside State
Parliament,” ABC political reporter Sarah Gerathy tweeted as
the story unfolded. Ambulances and high powered water hoses were
also brought to the scene of the standoff.